Raymond James Romancik

PFC Raymond Romancik served with Easy Company, 2nd Marines during the battle of Tarawa. On 20 November 1943, his battalion was tasked with spearheading the assault on a stretch of sand called Beach Red Two. Easy Company was to land on the western half of the beach, but on the way to shore their LVTs were subjected to withering fire from the Japanese defenses, and the unit’s organization disintegrated.

Romancik’s platoon landed against heavy opposition and was soon cut off from friendly units, suffering casualties, and low on supplies. The young PFC “courageously volunteered to investigate beyond the flanks of his unit in a daring attempt to locate other groups of Marines.” Running and dodging across an open area, Romancik found the Fox Company command post and breathlessly reported the need for reinforcements, ammo, and medical supplies. With the promise of help secured, Romancik ventured back out to rejoin his platoon.

“With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he was making his way back through enemy lines to join his comrades when killed by Japanese machine-gun fire.”

Raymond Romancik was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action.